The 4th Cut – Browsing Tokyo Art Scene (Roppongi)

For a long time, Roppongi has been known as Gaijin (foreigner) town. Many foreigners would head for Hard Rock Café to buy their goods and go club hopping, where they could communicate in English most of the time. There are still lots of clubs and bars targeting foreign customers, but the city is changing. The opening of three big museums is quite a breakthrough. On the weekend, many art fans have started to rush to Roppongi!

◆Roppongi Art Triangle
Last few years three new museums have been opened in Roppongi. The area around these museums is now called the Roppongi Art Triangle and attracts many art fans from all over the world. After visiting one museum, don’t throw away your entrance ticket. If you have a ticket from one of these three museums, you can get a discount when visiting the other two museums. Here is a rundown of all three museums.

The National Art Center, Tokyo http://www.nact.jp/
They change their exhibitions almost every 2 months. While it varies from Aboriginal art to Picasso, it always focuses on old well-know painters, rather than young artists. The exterior of the museum is all glass and the neo-futuristic design is very impressive. The closest station is Nogizaka (C05, Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line).
Exit 6 has a direction connection to the museum (closed on Tuesdays).

The Suntory Museum of Art http://www.suntory.com/culture-sports/sma/
Designed by acclaimed architect, Kengo Kuma, this museum mainly exhibits old Japanese art. In the museum, there’s a space to hold tea ceremonies that is open to visitors. You can enjoy the ceremony while enjoying the beautiful sky view of Roppongi. The museum is located in the huge complex called Tokyo Midtown. From The Tokyo National Art Center turn left and walk straight down the narrow street in front of you. You can see Tokyo Midtown just ahead of you after 5 minutes (closed on Tuesdays).

The Mori Art Museum http://www.roppongihills.com/en/
They focus on contemporary art from all over the world. Their exhibitions are always exciting, and it’s one of the best museums in Tokyo to understand what’s happening now in the contemporary art world. To get to this museum from the Suntory Museum of Art, go out from the main exit and turn left, and turn right at Roppongi Crossing. After a few minutes walk, you can see the huge complex called “Roppongi Hills”. The Mori Art Museum is on the 53rd floor of this building and it’s open everyday.

Recommended Lunch Spots

◆Otsuna Sushi おつな寿司Their reasonably priced lunch set (assortment of Sushi) is highly recommended.
Also, their homemade Inarizushi (stuffed sushi, enclosing the rice and fillings in a pocket made of fried tofu) is worth trying. From Tokyo Midtown, walk towards Roppongi Crossing. You can find the shop after a few minutes walk.
Address: Ibis Kyodo Bldg. B1F, 1F, 7-14-4, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-3401-9953 (Open Everyday)

◆R Burger
They serve varieties of Asian and Japanese flavored hamburgers. Their home made white bun, which looks like a steamed Chinese bun, is quite unique and goes perfectly with the ingredients they use. The R burger (pork patty and organic vegetables with Chinese sweet miso sauce) and the Chicken Ume Burger (chicken patty with plum sauce) are highly recommended. The drink menu includes delicious organic coffee and various kinds of Japanese teas. They have two branches in Bangkok. From Tokyo Midtown, turn left and go straight towards Roppongi Crossing. You can find the shop on your left.
Address: 4-9-8, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-6805-3119 (Open Everyday)

Recommended Dinner Spots

◆Konbuya　こんぶや
This spacious restaurant specializes in Oden, which is one of the most popular varieties of Japanese food. Oden consists of several ingredients such as boiled eggs, processed fish cakes and varieties of vegetables in a light, soy-flavored broth. Besides this dish, they have a wide range of a la carte menu items including lots of original delicious dishes. From Roppongi Hills, go down the slope and walk toward Nishi Azabu crossing. At the crossing, turn left at the corner of Café Almond. You can see Konbuya in approx. 3 minutes on your right.
Address: Next Nishi Azabu B1, 4-10-5, Nishi Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5464-3740 (Open on Sundays and National Holidays)

◆Hakata Ramen Akanoren (Ramen Shop)　博多ラーメン 赤のれんRamen is a type of Japanese noodle dish influenced by Chinese cuisine. There are different varities of Ramen all over Japan, and particularly Kyusyu Style Ramen is very popular. The distinctive difference of Kyusyu style ramen is the use of a pork bone broth. The smell may be pungent, however it is an addictive taste. From Roppongi Crossing, walk toward Roppongi Hills and go down the gentle slope. About 5 minutes after passing Roppongi Hills, you can find Hakata Ramen Akanoren (博多ラーメン　赤のれん)on your left.
Address: 3-21-24, Nishi Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel:03-3408-4775 (Closed on Sundays)

◆One for the Road?
Mr. Stamp’s Wine Garden
Roppongi’s oldest wine bar. Ask the friendly sommelier for the special of the day. This bar offers an atmosphere resembling a small old European hotel. Besides wines, you can have traditional French cuisine. From Tokyo Midtown, turn left and walk towards Roppongi crossing, turn left at the crossing. Then, turn left again at the corner of Haiyu Za (Haiyu Theater). The bar is approx. 5 minutes away.
Address: Hill Side Palace Roppongi 1F, 4-4-2, Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel; 03-3479-1390 (Closed on Sundays and National Holidays)

These
A book-themed bar. The space can be described like “small library meets chic Tokyo Bar”
Nice place for book lovers, and also this is a place Tokyo hipsters gather. Their homemade curry is fantastic! From Roppongi Hills, turn left and go down the slope and walk towards Nishi Asabu Crossing. After passing the crossing, turn right at the second corner. The bar is approx. 5 minutes away.
Address: Court Azabu 2F, 2-13-19, Nishi Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo
Tel: 03-5466-7331 (Closed on Sundays)